WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 28, 2015 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today expressed its gratitude for the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of H.R. 1624, the “Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act.”
 
“The Big ‘I’ is pleased to see this legislation pass the House of Representatives with such strong bi-partisan backing,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I’” president & CEO. “One analysis from the actuarial firm Oliver Wyman estimated that the effect of expanding the definition of the small employer would result in nearly two-thirds of workers in small to mid-size firms receiving premium increases in 2016. H.R. 1624 would protect small to mid-sized employers and employees at those firms from seeing significant premium increases that are anticipated due to the Affordable Care Act.”
 
In 2016 the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is scheduled to expand the definition of the small group market to include all employers with 1-100 employees—adding employers in the 51-100 employee category. H.R. 1624, the “Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act,” would redefine the small employer as one with 50 or fewer employees and give states the option to expand the definition to include employers with up to 100 employees.

“The Big ‘I’ is grateful for today’s House action on this practical legislation that addresses a deep flaw in the Affordable Care Act,” says Charles E. Symington, Big “I” senior vice president for external and government affairs. “Enactment of this legislation is critically important in keeping small to mid-size businesses from seeing significant premium increases and appropriately gives states the authority to determine the small group market definition in the future. We urge the Senate to pass this legislation as soon as possible so the President can sign this important ACA change into law.”